NFL drops hammer on Tom Brady, Pats

The Associated Press

FILE - In a Thursday, May 7, 2015 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gestures during an event at Salem State University in Salem, Mass. Blurring the line between legal and illegal, then figuring out how to get away with it, is as old as keeping score. But what two New England Patriots employees did when they executed a plan to deflate footballs to Brady's liking, according to a report authored by attorney Ted Wells, was a direct violation of a well-defined rule about equipment that didn't leave room for shades of gray. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool, File)

FILE - In a Thursday, May 7, 2015 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gestures during an event at Salem State University in Salem, Mass. Blurring the line between legal and illegal, then figuring out how to get away with it, is as old as keeping score. But what two New England Patriots employees did when they executed a plan to deflate footballs to Brady's liking, according to a report authored by attorney Ted Wells, was a direct violation of a well-defined rule about equipment that didn't leave room for shades of gray. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool, File) (The Associated Press)

Implying Tom Brady and the Patriots cheated in the AFC playoffs last January en route to the Super Bowl, the NFL on Monday suspended the quarterback four games for 2015. The league also fined the team $1 million and took away New England's first-round pick in 2016 and a fourth-rounder in 2017.

An NFL investigation into the AFC Championship Game found Brady used footballs deflated below NFL standards, that Brady probably knew the balls were deflated, and that Patriots equipment staff let the air out of up to 11 balls.

Brady has said he prefers mushier balls, which are easier to grip.

No one believes deflated balls led to New England's 45-7 win over the Colts.

But the NFL deemed the scheme a violation of the integrity of the sport.

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This makes sense. All quarterbacks should play by the same rules. Whether Brady gained a significant advantage or not isn't germane. The rules are in place. Everyone knows them. The league concluded Brady condoned breaking the inflation rule.

Does improved grip extend to New England's offense as a whole? A statistical analyst, Walter Sharp, found extraordinary the Patriots miniscule fumble totals at home games the last five years.

It's not the first time the NFL deemed the Patriots cheaters.

After the league found they illegally taped an opponent's defensive signals in 2007, commissioner Roger Goodell docked the team its 2008 first-round pick and fined both coach Bill Belichick and the team.

This time, Goodell hit the Patriots harder.

Winners and losers

Goodell gets a few integrity points here. He's chummy with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who had demanded an apology when Deflategate took flight. No doubt, Goodell received support from other AFC owners.

New England's three rivals in the AFC East -- the Bills, Dolphins and Jets -- saw their playoff chances jump Monday but are traditionally too clumsy to take advantage.

The Colts may be biggest winner. The Patriots eat them for breakfast every year.

If the Chargers get to the playoffs, not seeing New England would be fine by them. Belichick's teams beat the Chargers in the 2006-07 playoffs.

Brady comes off the worst from the punishment. He gets branded a cheater, hurts his team's playoff chances this year and beyond, and loses $2 million in salary, plus potential endorsement deals.

The Patriots are also the losers, but, along with Brady, still dangerous. The last time Brady was sidelined for an extended period, by a torn knee ligament in 2008, unheralded backup Matt Cassel replaced him and the Patriots went 10-5. Garoppolo, who was 19-for-27 as a rookie last year, was drafted five rounds before Cassel.

Villains will rebound

New England's first four opponents are the Steelers, Bills, Jaguars and Cowboys

Say they go 2-2. Say they don't. Either way, expect New England to reach the playoffs.

Belichick, the NFL's best coach, can adjust to losing both Brady and star cornerback Darrelle Revis, who signed with the Jets. The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC.

With the Patriots cast as villains, the NFL has a new juicy storyline for the next football year.